A magistrate court in Abuja has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of social media activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), over allegations of criminal defamation brought by gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.
The ruling, delivered by Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Iyana at the Wuse Zone 6 court on Thursday, directed the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies to arrest VDM and present him before the court. The order came after the activist failed to appear in response to a court summons issued on March 5.
VDM is accused of making defamatory statements on social media, alleging that Chinwo was involved in a contractual dispute over the diversion of $345,000 linked to her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, also known as Eezee Tee.
Chinwo has denied the claims, describing them as false and damaging to her reputation. She has presented documentary evidence, including emails and payment receipts, to support her case.
Despite a plea from VDM’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, to allow him to personally produce his client at the next court session, Magistrate Iyana refused to lift the arrest order.
The gospel singer’s legal team, led by Pelumi Olajengbesi, argued that VDM’s actions violated Section 391 of the Penal Code and Section 24(1)(B) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015.
In addition to the criminal case, Chinwo has also filed a civil lawsuit against VDM at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, demanding N1.1 billion in damages.
Her lawyers are seeking a court order compelling him to delete the alleged defamatory statements, issue a public retraction, and apologize.